New York Bans Sale of Cosmetic Products Tested on Animals
New York joins a growing list of states that are banning the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals. The Empire State is the 10th state to take a stand against the cruel and unnecessary testing method.
The New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, will prohibit the sale and manufacture of cosmetics that have been tested on animals starting January 2023.
Companies will have to use one of many non-animal testing methods as consumers are demanding cruelty-free products.
California, Nevada, Illinois, Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, Virginia, and Louisiana have already banned the sale of cosmetics tested on animals as well as dozens of countries around the world.
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Alessandra Biaggi worked with Cruelty Free International to end cosmetic animal testing in the state with the bill receiving “almost unanimous bi-partisan support.”
“More consumers than ever are demanding cruelty-free cosmetics, and I am proud that my legislation banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals has been signed into law. For decades, animals have suffered painful, cruel. and unnecessary experiments in the development of cosmetics, despite the existence of alternative methods that do not involve animal testing. With this new law, animals will no longer be harmed in the service of humans’ pursuit of beauty,” said Assemblymember Rosenthal.
Senator Biaggi stated, “After decades of activist and public demand to stop companies from using animals to test their products, New York has finally joined the list of forty countries that have taken a stand against this harmful practice. Protecting the safety of humans by testing cosmetics is extremely important, but does not mean that animals must serve at their expense for our wellbeing.”
In addition to going cruelty free, New York recently prohibited the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pets stores to crack down on puppy & kitten mills.
Cruelty Free International is hopeful that the new Act could lead to nationwide change. They posted, “We hope this now leads to federal change and a national prohibition of cosmetics newly tested on animals. Because of New York’s association with the fashion and beauty industries, this Act could be the tipping point that leads to the passage of a federal Humane Cosmetics Act.”
Be sure to only purchase products with the Leaping Bunny, signifying the product is cruelty-free, and pledge to shop cruelty-free.
